Related Articles

Your indoor-outdoor rug is built to be stain- and mildew-resistant, but it can still start to look dingy and dull over time. A good scrubbing with bleach rectifies the problem, killing off mildew, eliminating stains and refreshing the rug. Because your rug is likely made of the thermoplastic resin Olefin or a similar synthetic, the dye is part of the rug’s fibers and therefore bleach-safe. If you’re not sure what your rug is made of, test the bleach solution in a hidden area before you get started.

The Ideal Workspace

Although your indoor-outdoor rug is likely bleachable, the surrounding surfaces and vegetation where the rug is located probably aren’t. Move the rug to a driveway, a color-fast wood deck or cement patio. Cover any surrounding vegetation, including your lawn, with tarps if you have no way to divert the run-off in a safe direction during cleaning. Bleach can kill plants, bushes and certain types of grass, even though you’ll be using a heavily-diluted version. Lay down a tarp to protect the surface you’re cleaning the rug on from unnecessary exposure to chemicals. If the rug is small, you can simply clean it in the bathtub.

Vacuum First to Avoid Wicking

Olefin and other synthetics have a sneaky habit of making you think the fibers are clean when wet, yet surprising you with stains, spots and an overall dinginess once dry. This is because the dirt sinks to the bottom of the rug when it’s wet, yet makes its way back to the surface as the moisture dissipates. For this reason, it’s important to vacuum the rug thoroughly with a wet/dry vacuum to pull as much dirt and soil out of the material as you can. Your household vacuum probably isn’t strong enough to pull out all of the dirt, and you will need a wet/dry vacuum for cleaning. If you don’t have one on hand, you can usually rent one from your local hardware store.

Clean With Diluted Bleach

Mix 1 cup of unscented household bleach with 8 cups of water. Wearing gloves and a face mask if you’re sensitive to fumes, wet a stiff scrub brush with the solution and apply it to the rug, working the solution into the rug’s fibers. Keep re-dipping and scrubbing, working from one end of the rug to the other. A harsh hand isn’t necessary – just let the bristles of the brush do the work for you. Wait about five minutes before rinsing it to give the bleach time to kill off the spores and lighten stains. Use your wet/dry vacuum to suck as much excess moisture out of the rug as possible.

Sun Drying and Future Cleaning

You can’t throw your indoor-outdoor rug in the dryer; even if it’s small enough, the dryer’s heat could warp the synthetic fibers. Instead, set the rug outside in a sunny area to finish drying after you remove the excess water with the wet/dry vacuum. It should only take a few hours, and the sunlight will kill off any lingering mildew or moss in the rug. Although bleach-cleaning is a good choice on occasion, it’s best to clean the rug with mild dish soap and water every few months to minimize the need for bleaching and keep the rug clean.

A Note on Non-Bleachable and Natural-Fiber Rugs

If the dye bleeds when you test the bleach solution, use the same method described with undiluted white distilled vinegar for a similar deep clean. The rare natural fiber indoor-outdoor rug should never be bleached, and some may require a dry cleaning powder in lieu of soap and water. If this describes your rug, refer to your rug’s care guide for cleaning instructions.

About the Author

Amanda Bell spent six years working as an interior designer and project coordinator before becoming a professional writer in 2010. She has published thousands of articles for various websites and clients, specializing in home renovation, DIY projects, gardening and travel. Bell studied English composition and literature at the University of Boston and the University of Maryland.